Page 12 - 2018 December

FROM THE DESK

Giving and Sharing

Emilie Taylor, DTM - Program Quality Director

Thanksgiving has passed with sharing and club, gifting of your time and talent. With that,
gratitude and with it follows Christmas, let’s and the value of the gift you have received, think

keep up the attitude! With all the clamor in of what you have and of what you can share with
our commercialized world, some forget what others! Think of the gift of sharing Toastmasters
this Season is all about. It really is about giving with the people you meet. There are so many
and sharing…and that is what Toastmasters is opportunities… in line at the post office, posting

all about! our packages, the long checkout lines, small talk
Thinking about the Season of Giving, realize with the cashier at the store or bank, or really
this: The real gift of Toastmasters is the sharing blow people’s minds by breaking the silence in
of Toastmasters. The gift and the giver are really an elevator. Sometimes people are relieved by

the same. Each of us in Toastmasters is a gift someone with the courage to speak in such places!
to others. When we share in our speaking and Try it! The real test of speaking is the elevator
evaluating, we are giving of our vulnerable sides. test! Either they will be relieved and comforted,
Yet that sharing overcomes shyness and we are or they will think of you as an enthusiastic nut!

gifted with self-confidence and poise. Either way, you have gifted Toastmasters with
Don’t think for a minute that the star or your marketing skills. We have no idea how
musician you see on stage has never had sharing can make a difference in people’s lives.
butterflies or worse yet a washing machine in I know what a difference Toastmasters has done

their stomachs at one time or every time they for mine!
are on stage. Each time we offer encouragement, I thank you all for your gifts of being there,
uplift, edification to another, we are giving a stepping forward and stepping up. I thank
gift that helps the receiver overcome self-doubt you all for your speaking, for your listening,

and self-criticism. Sound familiar? We all have for your feedback, for your filling in positions
experienced the encouragement and know what when circumstances create sudden openings for
that gift feels like. evaluators, or even last-minute impromptus, like
The Toastmasters Gift is really you in your that 7-minute speech that you did not know you

12 ONE COMMUNITY